Bellevue’s newest address has received incredible interest during its recent preview with over 100 residences sold. The excitement continues with the unveiling of the One88 Visual Tour. Take an exclusive first look at an animated tour of the building’s sophisticated residences and world-class amenity collection and experience the attentive design detail that has defined this remarkable new high-rise.

Thanks to their ability to add texture and subtle pattern, petite hexagonal and penny tiles may be here to stay

For a bathroom to stay fashionable, it’s usually a good idea to stick to tiles that are classic and fairly neutral. But that doesn’t mean they have to be boring: Small-scale hexagonal tiles add texture, pattern and even a touch of glamour. Penny tiles, their softer-edged sister, can give a similar effect and are included here.

A story in the Wall Street Journal gave these new homeownership numbers some context:

“The annual increase marks a crucial turning point because it comes after the federal government reined in bubble-era policies that encouraged banks to ease lending standards to boost homeownership. This time, what’s driving the market is a shift in favor of owning rather than renting.

‘This is market, market and market…There’s no government incentive program in sight that is having this effect,’ said Susan Wachter, a professor of real estate and finance at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, ‘This is back to basics.’”

In a separate report comparing the rental population in America to the homeowner population, RentCafé also concluded that the gap is now shrinking.

“Undoubtedly, the recession had a great impact on homeownership…However, it looks like it takes more to discourage Americans from buying a house than that.

As the years go by, it seems more and more certain that the fact that renting has seen a sudden gain in popularity is more a reaction to the economic crisis than a paradigm shift in the Americans’ attitude toward housing.”

America’s belief in homeownership was also evidenced in a recent survey by Pew Research. They asked consumers “How important is homeownership to achieving the American Dream?”

The results:

43% said homeownership was essential to the American Dream

48% said homeownership was important to the American Dream

Only 9% said it was not important

Bottom Line

Homeownership has been, is and will always be a crucial element of the American Dream.

If you’re about to place your home on the market and wondering just what you can do to maximize your asking price, pay attention. There are a number of home improvements you can make that pay significant dividends. Some require a small investment, others a little more. Take a look at the infographic below for some ideas on what you can do to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.